The first flower of Rhodophiala bifida is opening today here in zone 7 Maryland. Hurricane Hanna passed nearby during the weekend, and there was heavy rain in the area. The plant in question has had a spathe up at ground level for weeks; it surged into growth only two days ago. Colchicum are beginning to push up, too. Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, 39.03871º North, 77.09829º West, USDA zone 7 My Virtual Maryland Garden http://www.jimmckenney.com/ BLOG! http://mcwort.blogspot.com/ Webmaster Potomac Valley Chapter, NARGS Editor PVC Bulletin http://www.pvcnargs.org/ Webmaster Potomac Lily Society http://www.potomaclilysociety.org/